National Nutrient Strategy

Other Strategy Information

One of EPA's goals is to accelerate the progress of state adoption of numeric Water Quality Standards while building the scientific and technical infrastructure for developing new criteria to address nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

What is OW's Role in Reversing Nutrient Pollution?

EPA, through its Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology (OST), applies science and technology to build a comprehensive framework of state water quality standards, drinking water goals, public health programs, and technology-based solutions to implement the national clean and safe water program in collaboration with national, state, and public partners. As part of this mission, OST develops nutrient water quality criteria recommendations, ensures state adoption of protective nutrient water quality standards, develops tools to aid states in implementing their nutrient standards, and publishes regulations that reduce the discharge of nutrients by industries.

Over the last 10 years, OST has implemented a strong technical approach to address the negative impacts of nutrient pollution, which includes:

Creating a National Nutrient Team and Regional Technical Assistance Groups (RTAGs) with 10 Regional Nutrient Coordinators to support states in the management and evaluation of nutrient pollution.

What is the OW National Nutrient Strategy?

Water quality standards (WQS) are the backbone of water quality improvements. Once established, numeric standards reduce states' time and effort to establish TMDLs and permits to control nutrient levels.

Thus, our goal is to accelerate the progress of state adoption of numeric WQS while building the scientific and technical infrastructure for developing new nutrient criteria. To accomplish this goal, we have four general themes:

Work conducted under these themes should reflect a collaborative effort/partnership between EPA and states that builds on work to date and coordination/relationships between EPA and states.

We've developed specific projects under each of these themes based on input from states at the All States meeting in February 2006, subsequent discussions with regions, and the discussion with selected state managers at the WQSMA meeting in August 2006.

Theme 1: Direct assistance to states close to adopting numeric criteria

We've identified states that are further along in criteria development for some or all of their waters. These states identified implementation and policy support as their primary need. Under this theme, we are:

Developing implementation guidance that addresses technical and policy issues raised by these states.

Issuing a policy memorandum that clarifies EPA's recommendations, thus providing states with a clear statement supporting their work. EPA will foster adoption of standards reflective of states' priorities, and recognizing the importance of incremental progress.

Assessing the benefits and costs of reducing nutrients, thus providing states with information to support their rulemaking to adopt nutrient criteria.

Compiling information of treatment and BMP effectiveness, thus providing states with information demonstrating that their criteria can be attained.

Developing common principles for EPA review of state nutrient standards submittals, thus providing assurance to states that EPA review will be consistent among regions.

Theme 2: Build capacity of states that are further from adopting numeric criteria

We've identified states that are further along in criteria development for some or all of their waters. These states identified sampling/monitoring, data/statistical analysis, and assistance in developing criteria numbers as their primary needs. Under this theme, we are:

Providing states with on-demand statistical, sampling and data analysis support through N-STEPS.

Providing additional statistical, sampling and data analysis support through a variety of financial vehicles, with funds targeted towards progress with specific states.

Theme 3: Build a science-based foundation for developing new 304(a) criteria for estuaries, wetlands, and large rivers

We've published technical guidance documents for developing criteria for lakes and reservoirs, rivers and streams, and estuaries and coastal waters. We still need to publish technical guidance and criteria or develop targets for other waters. Under this theme, we are:

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

1998 National Nutrient Strategy

The national nutrient strategy describes the approach we will follow in developing nutrient information and working with states and tribes to adopt nutrient criteria as part of their water quality standards. The strategy presents overenrichment assessment tools and recognizes current capabilities for conducting these assessments at the regional watershed and waterbody levels. The major focus of this strategy is the development of waterbody-type technical guidance and region-specific nutrient criteria by the year 2000.